Chapter 21: Inviting the Wolf into the House
Qiao Shu crossed her arms and remained silent.
Yu Zeheng, impatient, said "It's up to you whether you come or not" and turned to go into the room. The door was wide open, and only the light inside could be seen.
Qiao Shu pursed her lips and went inside.
Yu Zeheng opened the F1 simulator, and the startup page made her pause for two seconds. He called her into the room; it was to play racing games.
"I'm not interested in this. Since you can't sleep, we can go downstairs and play a couple more rounds."
Yu Zeheng looked over: "Give it a try, or do you think it'll be embarrassing if you don't do it well?"
Provocation tactic.
Qiao Shu scoffed: "I've been praised for being smart since I was little. I've always been good at learning things. Besides, I have a driver's license and I can drive."
"Hmm." Yu Zeheng rested his hand on the monitor, looking at her with a faint tone.
Feeling slighted, Qiao Shu gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, I'll play one round. You come downstairs with me and we'll play another."
She strode over, gripped the steering wheel, and sat down, adjusting her posture several times.
The F1 simulator uses a dynamic simulation system and physical modeling technology for precise control feedback to realistically recreate the F1 racing driving experience to a certain extent. High-level simulators are usually used for the daily training of professional F1 racing drivers, and real tracks are imported for professional drivers to practice on.
This set is already top-of-the-line.
The triple-screen display and HDR dynamic lighting rendering will maximize the immersive experience for the user.
"Which track should we choose?" Yu Zeheng asked.
Qiao Shu had no idea what a racetrack was. Looking at the dazzling interface, she could only recall the most classic racetrack mentioned in F1 news: "Silverstone Circuit."
Silverstone Circuit, located in London, England, features 18 corners and a lap length of 5.891 kilometers, boasting an exceptionally long straightaway and high-speed corners.
"First, adjust the seat's fore-and-aft position."
Qiao Shu hadn't driven in a long time and was no longer familiar with the car's structure. She turned her head to look for the buttons to adjust the seat, when a dark shadow flashed before her eyes. It was Yu Zeheng, who had lowered his head, his superior profile right in front of her.
Caught off guard, what first caught her eye was his thick, drooping eyelashes, casting a faint shadow on his eyelids. His slightly pursed thin lips parted: "Hands on the steering wheel."
Qiao Shu did as instructed.
Yu Zeheng lifted his eyelashes and glanced at the distance between her hands and the steering wheel. He tightened his grip on the seat adjustment handle, and Qiao Shu and the seat were pushed forward. She almost bumped into him. The close proximity caused her chest to be pulled.
"Is it done yet?" she asked impatiently, frowning.
Yu Zeheng straightened up, took her left hand, and felt her skin contract as if it had been burned. She pursed her lips tighter and tighter, letting him pull her down.
"Hold your thumbs firmly on the steering wheel to prevent it from slipping out of your hands during aggressive driving, and it will also give you more control and better steering control."
"oh."
She answered casually.
"Alright"
Yu Zeheng straightened up.
Qiao Shu brushed her hair aside and put on her headphones. After getting used to it for a couple of laps, she started playing seriously. Her expression changed from casually playing for a couple of laps to opening her eyes wide and concentrating on every turn after experiencing speed and passion. After a whole lap, her arms and legs were numb and sore.
She exhaled.
Qiao Shu leaned back in the driver's seat, her heart pounding wildly. Her mind was filled with the exhilarating scene of speeding ahead, the thrill of flooring the accelerator, and the excitement of being thrown off the wheel when she swerved to turn. She was certain that her adrenaline was surging and rushing to her brain. Her scalp tingled, and she couldn't calm down for a long time.
Yu Zeheng looked at her results, which were quite good for a beginner. He said, "Let's go downstairs and play a couple more rounds."
"Um?"
Qiao Shu completely forgot her reluctance before playing. She lingered in her seat and spoke in a condescending tone, "Let's call it a day. We can play another day. I made a mistake just now, and my score was too low. I'll play again."
Yu Zeheng crossed his arms and said, "Okay, you play first."
He went downstairs to get a drink of water, and when he came back up, he had already started a new game. Looking at the person in the seat, he was completely engrossed, dodging left and right when turning, and perfectly navigating the curves. His delicate eyebrows were raised high, and shallow dimples appeared at the corners of his lips. Occasionally, after escaping danger, he would let out a soft cry, and his snow-white face would be flushed.
Qiao Shu was clearly completely captivated.
Yu Zeheng repeatedly reminded her that it was time to go back to her room and sleep, but she always made excuses, saying that she would definitely sleep if she could play again.
He pinched the brow of a sleepy girl's eye, as if dealing with a rebellious teenage girl: "No, go back to your room and sleep now."
It's as if he's the one who let the wolf in.
The Qiao Shu that Yu Zeheng knew was self-disciplined to the point of self-torture. She strictly controlled her clothing, food, housing and transportation. When they first got married, no matter how late they played, or how sleepy she was in the morning, she could get up without opening her eyes and yawning when she heard the alarm.
Instead of wearing headphones and gripping the steering wheel tightly with both hands.
She had tried everything, and finally resorted to pranks, resting her head on the steering wheel, looking at him with bright eyes, and saying in a low voice, "I've never played these games before. You know, Grandpa is very strict with me."
"The last one."
Yu Zeheng remained expressionless.
"good!"
Qiao Shu sat up again, full of energy, and floored the gas pedal all the way, showing no intention of slowing down even on curves. He was obsessed with speed and passion, arrogant and domineering, just like himself.
The game ended in the blink of an eye.
Yu Zeheng tapped the screen with his finger, and Qiao Shu stopped teasing him. As he got up from his seat, he put one hand on the steering wheel and said, "Why don't you take a lap? I want to know how good you professional drivers are."
His first instinct was to refuse, but when he met her bright, sparkling eyes, he stopped. He nodded, and she stood up to give him her seat, saying "please."
Yu Zeheng has long legs, and the first thing he did upon getting in was to adjust his seat back.
Qiao Shu stood to the side, idly propping herself up on the chair. She looked down, and the fabric of her clothes brushed against his neck, causing a slight itch.
Yu Zeheng kept his eyes straight ahead, gripped the steering wheel, and as the traffic lights went out one by one, he stepped on the accelerator, and the aircraft roared forward.
Qiao Shu was amazed by what she saw.
She was a novice, driving recklessly and recklessly, doing whatever she wanted for fun, but at a terrible cost. She crashed into the guardrail several times, leaving her hands numb from the impact. But Yu Zeheng was different. The track seemed to grow out of his feet. No matter how high he went or how dangerous the situation was, he could always easily escape danger in the end.
Finally, he flicked the steering wheel and executed a beautiful drift.
Yu Zeheng kept his eyes straight ahead, barely blinking, his eyebrows relaxed, his thin lips pursed, exuding a distant and indifferent air.
Qiao Shu's palms were burning as she memorized his handling of the curves. She hated herself for not thinking fast enough at that moment, her eyes glazed over and unable to react in time.
Upon reaching the destination, Yu Zeheng let go of her hand.
The data on the points panel was impressive, standing out prominently in the first column. Compared to it, she looked like a complete novice and an amateur.
Qiao Shu was leaning against the seat, unaware that she was getting closer and closer to him. She was tired of standing, so she lazily leaned back on the seat, resting her chin on her arm, their two fluffy heads very close together.
Yu Zeheng wasn't wearing headphones; strands of her hair hung down beside her ears.
And when he did a good job, she exclaimed "Wow!" with genuine emotion, her cheeks warm from his breath as she spoke.
"You're amazing! No wonder you're a professional driver. Your driving style is completely different from your usual one. It's one thing to be good-looking, but your driving skills are so good that it's enviable. How are others supposed to live?" Unsolicited praise came pouring in, without any sincerity, all of it was insincere. In the end, when she ran out of ideas, she said that she saw how cool he drove and wanted to learn a few tricks from him, asking if he wanted to see.
Yu Zeheng replied coldly, "No."
"Give it a try, I just learned it." Her voice was low and soft, and her warm breath brushed against his ear as if she were whispering in his ear.
He kept postponing the shutdown, but it wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Yu Zeheng closed his eyes and allowed her to demonstrate once.
Once she said one thing, she would say another, and she would always say a bunch of unexpected things to shut him up. So he simply gave up the space. He couldn't resist the sleepiness and went to bed. He woke up twice in the middle of the night, and both times Qiao Shu looked very focused.
When I woke up for the third time, the car was no longer moving, the game screen was frozen, and the person gripping the steering wheel had already closed their eyes and fallen asleep, their long, even breathing echoing in the empty room.
Yu Zeheng was speechless for a moment.
There was no other way; he was responsible for sending the people he had attracted back.
Yu Zeheng lifted the blanket and got up. He first adjusted the chair, then bent down and picked her up. She unconsciously turned her head and leaned on his shoulder. One arm was across her thigh, and her calf dangled down. As they walked, her feet brushed against his leg.
She looked so thin, but she slept soundly.
Yu Zeheng lifted it up and pressed it close to his chest.
Qiao Shu sensed his approach, but sleepiness washed over her, and she couldn't open her eyes. She only managed to peek through a slit and catch a glimpse of his blurry outline.
She vaguely sensed him opening the door, and then she lay down on her bed.
The second bedroom was completely in Qiao Shu's style. She had a strong sense of intrusion and easily turned everything around her into her possession, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Yu Zeheng laid her on her side, pulled the blanket over her shoulders, then pulled her arm out and placed it in front of her. Finally, he took her eye mask from the bedside table and put it on. He didn't turn off the light. When he left, he stopped and realized that even after two years, he still remembered her sleeping habits.
excusable.
He never encountered someone as picky as her again.
—
In the morning, Qiao Shu has a Pilates class.
The teacher is still Ms. Xu from two years ago. Ms. Xu has been in the profession for ten years and has given private lessons to many wealthy ladies and wives, but the one she gets along with best is Qiao Shu. Besides being kind and generous, she gives small gifts during holidays and will not change the class time at will.
Even today, she clearly hadn't slept well; there were faint bluish tinges under her eyes. She appeared yawning and greeted her with a smile.
Teacher Xu asked with concern, "Didn't you sleep well last night? Actually, if you didn't sleep well, I have time this afternoon, and we can reschedule the class for five or six o'clock."
"No need, I'm fine." Qiao Shu drank half a glass of Americano.
Are you very busy with work?
Qiao Shu mumbled something like, "If people knew she played games until three or four in the morning, I'd lose all face."
After walking Xiaoxi during the day, Qiao Shu and her dog sat back on the sofa. Qiao Shu searched for game guides on her phone while practicing against the AI, noting the damage values of each move. She had a serious expression on her face, as if she were doing something very important.
Aunt Chu didn't understand the game, so she brought over some fruit and black tea. Thinking it was related to work, she casually asked if it was related to a project the company was going to invest in.
Qiao Shu sipped her black tea, feeling guilty and avoiding looking at her, nodding in a mocking manner: "Yes, there is some connection. I'll look into it first."
"It's too tiring." The pace of life is completely different from that in Australia. There's no free time even on weekends. Aunt Chu went to the kitchen and instructed the chef to make a pan-fried salmon dish for lunch, saying that eating deep-sea fish is good for the brain.
By evening, Qiao Shu had basically mastered the game.
"Want to play a game?" Qiao Shu asked casually, tucking a pillow into her arms.
Yu Zeheng glanced at her calmly. If he disagreed, it was highly likely that a wandering figure would appear at the bedroom door again at midnight. Qiao Shu had an almost obsessive fanaticism for Ying, and she could not allow herself to be overshadowed.
"Okay." He nodded.
Qiao Shu handed him the handle.
Yu Zeheng randomly picked three roles as usual, but Qiao Shu was replaced. He no longer pursued good looks; one of the roles had a fierce appearance and looked like someone who was not to be trifled with.
The game begins.
Qiao Shu's performance was completely different from last night. Her combos were extremely smooth, and she moved with great skill, dodging his attacks several times. Finally, she jumped behind his character with ease and delivered a powerful palm strike, emptying his health bar and causing his character to fall to the ground. The screen displayed a brutal KO.
She won!
It's so easy.
Qiao Shuyun casually put down the controller, stood up, picked up her coffee and sipped it slowly. She glanced at him and said nonchalantly, "This game isn't that difficult."
Yu Zeheng: "Again?"
"No, it's a bit boring."
She couldn't help but smile, but she pretended to be nonchalant, as if she had won easily with just a casual game.
I finally won back, and I'll never touch it again.
Yu Zeheng took in Qiao Shu's reaction. He smiled silently, wondering if she had imagined this scene many times and if she had deleted all the search history on her phone.
"You must be exhausted?" Yu Zeheng put down the controller.
Qiao Shu curled up her lips: "Not tired at all, beating you was quite easy."
Yu Zeheng stepped upstairs, glancing at her before reaching the top of the stairs, and subtly raised an eyebrow: "I'm talking about today."
Qiao Shu's smile vanished. She wanted to say something, but he slowly and deliberately went upstairs. She went to see Aunt Chu, who looked back at her obliviously. She closed her eyes tightly, probably because Yu Zeheng had guessed what was going on.
So what if she guessed it? She still won.
After the weekend, the internet-addicted girl returned to her career. After she had been at the company for half a month, Qiao Kaiyu finally remembered her and went downstairs to have lunch with her.
We ate at a restaurant near the company.
Qiao Kaiyu asked her if she was getting used to working at the company, and then mentioned her boss, Guan Han: "She's a formidable character, not easy to get along with. She can't tolerate any injustice and hates people who rely on connections. When you went there, she didn't give you a hard time?"
Qiao Shu picked up a piece of fish and ate it. It had few bones, but she was very careful while eating it.
She answered casually, "No, maybe because of my older brother, he's not very warm towards me, but he hasn't been particularly hostile either."
“I don’t have that much influence. She was promoted to this position because the old man valued her.”
Qiao Kaiyu disliked Guan Han for two reasons: first, she had squeezed out his confidante; second, this woman was ambitious, sharp, and domineering, and dared to offend even him.
He thought for a moment and said, "You should also be careful. They might try to trip you up behind your back. Don't be so naive as to fall into their trap and end up paying for it."
Qiao Shu tilted his head and smiled: "I'll just go through the motions. If anything really happens, I'll ask my older brother to take care of it for me."
Qiao Kaiyu picked up a piece of pork rib and gave it to her: "You're my only sister, so of course I'll help you out if anything happens. How are things between you and Yu Zeheng lately?"
Mentioning Yu Zeheng, Qiao Shu lowered her eyes and said, "Brother, you're a spoilsport."
"Is there really no possibility of remarriage?"
Qiao Shu raised her eyelashes, her displeasure written all over her face, and asked in return, "What does Big Brother think?"
Qiao Kaiyu smiled apologetically, telling her not to be angry. He ate a piece of rib while propping himself up on his arm, and said casually, "I think Yu Zeheng treats you pretty well. What hasn't he done for you? What problems do you two have that make you want to get a divorce? Does he have another woman or a child outside?"
The implication was that Qiao Shu should be content, as it would be good for them and for everyone.
"We're incompatible, have different habits, can't stand it, and can't go on like this. From what my older brother is saying, does he insist on having an affair before we can get a divorce? Or should I have an affair instead?"
Qiao Kaiyu almost couldn't catch his breath.
He raised his hand in a gesture of surrender: "My bad, let's not talk about this, let's eat."
The conversation turned to the old man's health again. There are two professional caregivers at home, and a doctor visits regularly, but the old man's health has not improved much. His aunt wanted him to do some rehabilitation and walk a few steps, which was a good intention. The old man tried, but his legs were weak and he almost fell. He threw a huge tantrum and scolded everyone around him.
Seeing that she couldn't find a cure, the eldest aunt decided to go to a temple to pray to the gods. She had already gone alone and wanted her grandchildren to go with her.
Qiao Kaiyu's words were laced with sarcasm; he was desperate and grasping at straws.
Qiao Shu lowered his eyes and ate the fish without saying a word.
After finishing their meal, the two prepared to return to the company.
Unfortunately, a clumsy waiter carrying a pot of boiling tea bumped into the corner of the table. Although he quickly caught the tray and smashed the teapot into another empty spot, the waiter bumped into Qiao Shu, who had just gotten up, due to the inertia.
Qiao Shu was knocked down onto the dining table, her high heels twisted, and a sharp pain shot through her ankle.
"How can you do this job!" Qiao Kaiyu shoved the waiter aside and shouted angrily.
Qiao Shu frowned, her face was pale, and she gripped the corner of the table tightly.
"Xiao Shu, how are you?" Qiao Kaiyu came over to help her up. She was about to struggle to get up when the throbbing pain in her ankle made her gasp and fall back down.
Qiao Kaiyu looked down and saw that his ankle was red and swollen at a visible speed.
The waiter was so frightened that he panicked and apologized profusely after half a minute. The restaurant manager rushed out, and Qiao Kaiyu loosened his tie and gave him a stern lecture. As a senior executive, he was very imposing when he got angry. The manager could only apologize repeatedly and promise to compensate him.
"Big brother," Qiao Shu bit her lip, "Alright, take me to the hospital first."
Finally, a large group of people went to the hospital, had X-rays taken, and thankfully there were no fractures. They were prescribed some painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as topical gel. They were told to rest for a short period of time and not to move, and to apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling.
Qiao Shu only wanted the other party to pay the medical expenses. Seeing that the other party seemed to be a part-time college student, she put on a stern face, scolded and threatened them a few times, and then gave up.
Qiao Kaiyu was indignant, saying that they had to be taught a lesson.
Qiao Shu glanced at him listlessly: "Which temple did your aunt go to? If it's effective, I'll go and pray there too. I'm so unlucky, I wonder if I've been tainted by something unclean."
Since they couldn't go to the company, Uncle Qin picked up Qiao Shu and took her back to Nanwan.
Upon returning to Nanwan, Aunt Chu gasped at Qiao Shu's swollen ankle, feeling extremely distressed. She invited her to sit on the sofa, propped her injured leg on the coffee table, and then went to get a towel and ice pack to gently apply to the swollen area.
"How did it get so serious? What kind of people does that restaurant hire? And the young master is really something, taking you to eat in a place like that and not even protecting you properly. You're so swollen, when will the swelling go down?" Aunt Chu grumbled, wishing she could go to their door and give them a good scolding to vent her anger.
Qiao Shu couldn't help but chuckle: "I'm fine now. I've taken the medicine and it doesn't hurt anymore."
"You call this nothing? When have you ever suffered like this?" They were raised like royalty, carefully cared for from a young age, so naturally they were much more pampered than others.
"If you don't believe me, I'll stand up and jump around for you a couple of times."
"Nonsense."
Change the ice pack three or four times.
Qiao Shu sat on the sofa, unable to move. Aunt Chu and the housekeeper had several pairs of eyes on her. Whenever she moved a finger, someone would immediately ask if she wanted some water.
Xiao Xi lay on top of her, gazing sadly at her swollen ankle.
Qiao Shu also stroked its little head listlessly, looking equally worried.
Dinner was also eaten on the sofa. Although she didn't have a fracture, Aunt Chu coaxed her into drinking a big bowl of bone broth. Her face was rosy, and she touched her flat stomach, worried that her weight would increase like a balloon in two days.
Around seven o'clock, Yu Zeheng's car stopped in front of the courtyard, and half a minute later, he pushed open the door and came in.
While changing shoes, Aunt Chu said that Qiao Shu had sprained her ankle: "It's very serious, her ankle is as big as a goose egg."
"Aunt Chu." A helpless female voice came from beside the sofa.
Aunt Chu pretended not to hear and told Yu Zeheng the whole story. Finally, she said, "If it's convenient for you, sir, could you carry Miss back to her room? Her leg is injured and she can't move."
Yu Zeheng walked over, and before he saw the face, he saw the raised leg. The ankle was red and swollen, with an ice pack wrapped in a towel.
He frowned.
Qiao Shu disliked being stared at while in a vulnerable position. She looked at Aunt Chu and said, "It's not that serious. I can manage on my own."
Yu Zeheng's indifferent voice followed: "Jumping up is also a good option."
Qiao Shu imagined herself holding onto the railing and jumping up step by step. She turned her face away and said, "Of course, after all, I still have a good leg."
"That's good." Yu Zeheng loosened his tie and went upstairs.
Aunt Chu thought the two had improved their relationship after playing games together just two days ago, but they were still exchanging cold words. So she stopped talking and told Qiao Shu to stay up a little longer before helping her upstairs.
Qiao Shu responded.
When Yu Zeheng came downstairs again, Aunt Chu had already gone back to the kitchen to prepare Yu Zeheng's dinner.
Qiao Shu held her phone in one hand. A shadow flashed past in her peripheral vision. She looked up and saw that Yu Zeheng had already changed his clothes. He lowered his eyes and met Xiao Xi's gaze as she looked up at him. He raised his chin, and Xiao Xi understood and got off Qiao Shu.
What are you doing?
Yu Zeheng bent down: "I'll carry you back to your room."
Qiao Shu felt a little awkward. He could have hugged her when he was so sleepy that night that he couldn't keep his eyes open, but now that he was awake, this action was not very appropriate for an ex-husband and ex-wife.
“Even if it were anyone else, I wouldn’t just leave their leg swollen like this.”
Qiao Shu said sullenly, "Thank you."
She raised her arms, and Yu Zeheng lifted her up in his arms, paying special attention to the position of her ankles. With her other hand, she symbolically clutched a small part of his clothes in front of him.
Halfway down the steps, Yu Zeheng stopped and suddenly asked, "What would happen if you fell?"
Qiao Shu looked somewhat surprised. She suspected that Yu Zeheng was out of strength. She glanced at the bottom of the building out of the corner of her eye. If he fell like this, he might not die but he might be crippled. What would happen if he hit his face? She suddenly felt nervous and changed the hand that was gripping his clothes to hug his neck.
In a domineering tone, she warned him fiercely, "If I fall, you're dead too, I swear!"
Qiao Shu held him tightly with both arms, her cool face pressed against his neck, soft and smooth, clinging closely to his skin, and he stiffened.
He instinctively tried to move away, but she pressed herself against him, clinging to him tightly without any gaps.
Yu Zeheng could clearly feel her outline, her curled eyelashes, her pert nose, and her soft lips.
This time, Qiao Shu really felt like she was going to fall, so she hugged him even tighter: "Even if I fall, Yu Zeheng, you have to cushion my fall!"
"Qiao Shu".
"What do you want?" The tone was very harsh.
Yu Zeheng stepped onto the stairs expressionlessly, his voice low and deep, as if muffled by a jar: "You talk too much."
-----------------------
Author's Note: Who is the "dirty thing" the princess is talking about? It's so hard to guess!
You agree, Mr. Yu.
50 red envelopes, kiss kiss!
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